A brush fire near U.S. Highway 101 in Novato, Marin County, caused significant traffic disruptions Thursday after a crash brought down power lines and ignited several small vegetation fires. The incident prompted a major emergency response, temporary highway closures, and widespread delays for commuters traveling through one of the North Bay’s busiest transportation corridors.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident began shortly before 9:30 a.m. near the junction of Highway 101 and State Route 37 at South Novato Boulevard. Authorities reported that a traffic collision caused power lines to fall across the highway, sparking multiple brush fires alongside the roadway. Emergency crews from the CHP, local fire departments, and utility personnel quickly responded to contain the fires and secure the area.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the vegetation fires, several lanes of U.S. 101 were temporarily closed in both directions, creating lengthy backups for commuters throughout Marin County. Nearby entrance and exit ramps were also shut down while crews removed downed power lines and assessed damage to the roadway. Although several lanes have since reopened, traffic remained heavily congested for much of the day.
The incident also affected electrical service in the surrounding area. PG&E reported that more than 6,000 customers experienced power outages after the crash damaged utility infrastructure. Utility crews were dispatched alongside emergency responders to repair the downed lines and safely restore electricity to affected neighborhoods.
Officials urged motorists to avoid the Highway 101 and State Route 37 interchange whenever possible and to use alternate routes until emergency operations were completed. The combination of lane closures, emergency vehicles, and utility work significantly slowed traffic across surrounding roadways in Novato and neighboring communities.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the number of vehicles involved in the initial crash or whether anyone sustained injuries. Investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to the collision and the resulting brush fires. Additional information is expected once the investigation progresses.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly crashes involving utility infrastructure can escalate into broader public safety emergencies. Downed power lines present significant hazards to motorists and emergency responders, while even small vegetation fires can spread rapidly under dry California conditions if not contained promptly.
Drivers traveling through Marin County are encouraged to monitor live traffic updates before beginning their journey, remain alert near emergency scenes, and obey all instructions from law enforcement and traffic control personnel. Officials also remind motorists never to approach downed power lines and to report hazardous conditions immediately.
The Novato fire and traffic disruption remain an active situation, and authorities are expected to provide additional updates as emergency operations conclude and investigators complete their review of the incident.
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